A group of young flag-bearers who took part in the ceremonies at Áras an Úachtaráin all live in Ireland, but were born in or have strong connections with the countries whose colours they carried. They were chosen to illustrate the new multiculturalism in Irish life.
Belgium: The Belgian flag was presented by Astrid Uytterhaegen (13), originally from Brussels.
Czech Republic: The Czech colours were carried by Julia Dubsky, who came to Ballymoney, Co Wexford in 1997.
Denmark: Lucas Shine (10), born in Copenhagen, moved here last August and attends St Andrew's College, Booterstown, Co Dublin.
Germany: Laszlo Sztana (12), has a Hungarian father, and lived in Germany and Belgium before Ireland. He attends the Lycee Francais d'Irlande in Clonskeagh, Dublin, and speaks four languages.
Estonia: Maria Polyakova (12), who moved with her family from Tallinn to Ireland two years ago, and lives in Clonskeagh, Dublin.
Greece: Kevina Lazari from Athens moved to Ireland in 1998 and attends Dunboyne Primary School in Co Meath.
Spain: The Spanish flag was presented by Jose Maria Corradini de Miane (13), born in Malaga. He is a boarding pupil at Clongowes Wood in Co Kildare, and lives in Seville outside school term.
France: Lisa Boissel (14) lives in Sandymount, Dublin, where she is an accomplished Irish dancer.
Italy: Born in 1991 in Rome of an Irish father and Italian mother, Brian Ó Cuív carried the Italian flag. He attends Coláiste Eoin, Dublin.
Cyprus: Andreana Farrell Kakouris (10), lives in Dublin .
Latvia: Nikita Semjonovs (8), was born in Latvia but now lives in Drogheda, Co Louth and and attends St Patrick's School.
Lithuania: Eight-year-old Eimantas Dabulevicius (everybody calls him Eamon) moved here three years ago and is in second class at Carysfort National School, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Ireland: The Irish flag was carried by Ben Salveta (11), from St Fintan's National School in Howth, who was born here but is of Italian descent.
EU: Niall Dunne and Jane O'Mara carried the EU flag. Both attend Cnoc Mhúire National School in Tallaght, Dublin.
Luxembourg: Nicolas Benoit was born in Luxembourg in 1993, but moved to Ireland aged seven. He attends St Killian's German School.
Hungary: Szabolcs Talpai (13), has been in Ireland three years and attends St Andrew's College, Dublin.
Malta: Hannah Cauchi (10), lives in Howth and attends St Fintan's National School.
Netherlands: The Dutch flag was carried by Ilona Dorrepaal (12) who lives in Firhouse, Dublin and is in sixth class at Scoil Treasa.
Austria: Aaron Pisarnik lives in Blackrock, Co Dublin, and is a pupil at Carysfort National School.
Poland: Born in 1993 in Bydgoszcz, Lukasz Rutkowski moved here in 2001 and lives in Maynooth.
Portugal: Mafalda Telles Pereira (14), attends St Andrew's College in Dublin.
Slovenia: At the request of the Slovenian Ambassador, Irish schoolgirl Rachel Coulahan (11), carried Slovenia's flag.She is at Dublin's City Quay Primary School, near the embassy.
Slovakia: Jan Gabor (14), who has lived in Ireland for three months, is at Marian College Sandymount, Dublin.
Finland: Sandra Josephine Harney (11), moved from Helsinki four years ago and goes to Primrose Hill School in Celbridge, Co Kildare.
Sweden: Susan Nsubuga (15), is from Stockholm and now lives in Kildare.
UK: The British flag was carried by Theodore Philip Jebb (12), born in Papua New Guinea but now living in Wicklow and attending St Gerard's School in Bray.